September 23, 2025

Numbers 14:11-19  (HCSB)
God’s Judgment of Israel’s Rebellion
11 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people despise Me? How long will they not trust in Me despite all the signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them with a plague and destroy them. Then I will make you into a greater and mightier nation than they are.” 13 But Moses replied to the Lord, “The Egyptians will hear about it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from them. 14 They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, Lord, are among these people, how You, Lord, are seen face to face, how Your cloud stands over them, and how You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 If You kill this people with a single blow, the nations that have heard of Your fame will declare, 16 ‘Since the Lord wasn’t able to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’  17 “So now, may my Lord’s power be magnified just as You have spoken: 18 The Lord is slow to anger and rich in faithful love, forgiving wrongdoing and rebellion. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ wrongdoing on the children to the third and fourth generation. 19 Please pardon the wrongdoing of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your faithful love, just as You have forgiven them from Egypt until now.”

David Bale
Today’s scripture reminds me of a memorable quote from an old classic movie: “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” In the movie, the offer the Godfather presented to Mr. Woltz ended badly for the movie producer; but the offer God presents to Moses is quite the opposite—an attractive proposal, hard to refuse (vs 12). Despite witnessing God’s miracles, the Israelites continue to doubt and disobey. God asks, “How long will these people despise Me? How long will they not trust in Me?” In response, He plans to strike them with a plague and start anew with Moses, forming a stronger nation. If I were Moses, I might be tempted to go along with God’s offer; however, I believe this to be one of Moses’ finest moments. Instead of accepting God’s offer to start fresh with himself, Moses intercedes for the Israelites, pleading for mercy. Moses reminds God of His promises and appeals to His patience, asking for forgiveness despite the people's sin. This moment shows us that despite our mistakes, God offers forgiveness and love. Like Moses, we can approach God in prayer, trusting that He listens and extends mercy. No matter how far we stray, God’s steadfast love and faithfulness remain unchanged.